Scourging of Equestria

The King of Chaos

Border of Equestria

-said, 'Equestria, they got all over the place!

Isan snickered at the joke, trying to keep his composure from laughing a bit too hard. While yes, Discord was an annoying pest, he was great at making jokes.

"You know Discord, you're not so bad.." Isan said aloud.

Really? You think so? Well then maybe you can reconsider running away?

"Not going to happen." Isan could hear an audible pout echo throughout his mind.

It got quiet quick, and Isan started up a conversation. "So how exactly are you here, in my mind, I mean?"

It's quite simple actually. It you paid attention to what you were doing when you fought Ponius, you would know.

"What do you mean? Please, explain."

Isan heard a sigh in the back of his head. Ponius was a leader of a cult, otherwise known as the Red Cross. That cult worships me, so I give them some power in return. Fair trade is it not? Anyways, the power I give them is stored inside containers they use to manipulate the energies to whatever they want. You happened to be injected by some of the energies, thus allowing me to come inside your head, and annoy you until you release me.

"So then your not truly here? Just a presence?" Isan asked, confused.

No. I am here. The process works like this. When infected the energies spread throughout the body, corrupting it. If not treated fast enough, it will kill you. Surprisingly enough, you didn't die. The act of transferring myself to you takes a lot of magical energy, and mass. When the energies grew large enough, I sent myself into your body, hoping to take control. However, it seems I was a step behind someone else. That potion you were given obliterated any chance of me taking control of your body.  Without any control, I can't control my magic. That's exactly why you can summon fire at will. You're basically leeching off my power, human. In conclusion to answer your question. I am here, all of me, yet the only way for me to be free is for the seal to be destroyed. And, I'm sure you know who that seal just might be.. He lied.

Isan didn't want to admit it, but he was shaking a bit. He was the seal. His death, meant the return of the god of chaos.

However, I will let you in on one secret.

"And what is that?" Isan asked

The secret to defeat me.

"What?"

It's simple really. All you have to do is destroy the elements of harmony. With the elements destroyed, my existence will not be able to sustain itself, and I would end up disappearing into nothingness.

"How do I destroy the elements?" Isan asked, slightly confused on what he meant exactly by 'elements'.

Your line of work knows it all too well. You're an assassin are you not? Kill the elements. Without their precious bearers they will become useless and destroy themselves. If the element has nothing to posses, then why does it exist? So then...What are you going to do?

"Even if I have to suffer for eternity with you stuck in my mind, I will not trade the lives of innocents for anything." Isan said, shaking more intensely, but not of fear.

So be it...By the way, where are we?

DEATHSTONE MOUNTAINS, BETWEEN EQUESTRIA AND GRIFFDON

Temperature: 15F

It's cold here...

"You don't say!" Isan snapped back.

Well hurry up and make shelter, I don't need you dying on me!

"I thought you said if I died, then you would be free?" Isan asked

No, you have to be killed. Not die of any natural causes, otherwise my soul won't leave your body. Oh and don't think of being killed by that either, otherwise I'll keep your soul in your body to keep me company for all eternity! Sound nice?

Isan cringed, "No, it doesn't.."

Good, now find yourself a fire, and some food. Don't worry about shelter, the wind doesn't blow here in the mountain entrance, nor does rain or anything other fall from the skies.

"Then how does the snow appear?" Isan looked down at his boots, sunk deep into the soft snow.

It doesn't. Your standing on hundreds of years old snow.

Isan looked down, grabbing a scoop of snow. He felt it, sucking in all the knowledge of this ancient place. This place is lonely, not even a single soul could survive here...What better chance do I have? I'm hopeless...It feels so dead here, everything is dead. Even me...I am dead..

Snap out of it human! Don't let your guard down. This place is much more dangerous then you think. Another thing, don't use any magic while you are inside this mountain range.

"Why?" Isan asked, running forward through the blizzard.

We don't want the King knowing we are here. If he does, we are as good as dead. In more ways then one.

"The King?"

Yes, the King. The Lich, whatever you want to call him! Just make sure you don't use any magic! ANY! If you do he will know you are here, and even worse he will know I am here. We have to pass through this mountain range without disturbing his slumber.

"You sound afraid of him Discord..." Isan smiled devilishly.

I know what your thinking, but asking him for help is possibly the stupidest thing you could ever do. Yes, he could obliterate me, but he is not to be trusted. He will kill everything in this world, even you. That's not even the worst part...

"What do you mean?" Isan asked, still sprinting through the cold winter, ignoring the whole 'food' and 'water' thing.

Isan could hear Discord gagging in the back of his head. What he does is...unnatural, even for my standards. Look, just keep running forward. It's only about 20 more miles until we leave this wretched place. Isan nodded, still confused, yet he ignored his confusion. He could clearly see that Discord was not faking this. He was terrified of this 'King', and wishes to stay away from him at all costs.

-==--==-

4 hours later...

Isan was soundly sleeping in a cave he found. Beside him sat a fire which he made from the dead trees around him. He  ate some apples he found on some of the living trees. They tasted bittersweet but he didn't care. At least he had something filling his belly. The wind blowed intensely outside the cave entrance, blocking all view of the outside world. The hail and snow filtered the air, making it impossible to see. All Isan had was himself, and his fire. But he wasn't alone. And he felt it. Isan opened his eyes, sitting up from his resting place. He looked around, hearing nothing but the wind.

He called for Discord but no answer came. Isan was worried, concerned for his evil companion. His distracted concern for his friend was quickly cut short as he heard a voice from outside the storm. He recognized it immediately at Pinks voice and ran out to see her. He exited the cave so fast that he tripped and fell down the steep hill. When he reached the bottom, he frantically searched around for her. The snow was blinding but he could see a shadow of some sort in the distance. Believing it was her, he followed the shadow, getting closer and closer. He heard the calls of his name, being shouted over and over again, getting louder the closer he came.

When he came closer to the shadow, a loud, bloodcurdling shriek came from the shadow in front of him. He saw more shadows appear, jumping on to her. He could hear ripping of flesh, and bones being crunched as he desperately tried to get closer to save her. One more shriek was enough before he closed his eyes and screamed, "ENOUGH!!"

As he opened his eyes, the storm stopped. The monsters were gone, the screams, and the sounds of ripping flesh were all gone. What was left of it, was something Isan wish he never saw. He looked upon the mangled body of what used to be Pinks. Both her front hooves were twisted, their bones sticking out in awkward directions. The bottom two had chunks of it bitten off. Her stomach was ripped open, blood covering the entire body. One of her eyes were missing as well, as her tongue too.

Isan fell to his knees, trying to comprehend the situation. He felt like a train of guilt just smashed into him, leaving him with nothing but regret for not being fast enough. Eventually he started to cry over the loss of his friend. He wondered why he wasn't fast enough, why he couldn't save her.

"I couldn't save her..." he whispered "It's too late..."

Isan lifted his head as he felt a cold, overwhelming presence overcome his mind.

It is not too late...There is a way to save her...

"Who are you?" Isan stood up, frantically looking around. "Show yourself!" He screamed.

If you want....To save her.....Find me...

"And why should I trust you?" Isan asked, staring out into the white sky.

You have no other choice... Isan bit his lip, he knew that thing was right. How else was he supposed to save Pinks?

"Fine...What do you need me to do?" Isan said, barely above a whisper.

First.... The voice spoke softly before growing into a deep voice. OPEN YOUR EYES!

Isan shot up from his sleeping position, covered in sweat. He looked over seeing the fire still burning. It was just a dream? It felt so real...

Something the matter Isan?

"No, it's nothing, just a nightmare." Isan responded.

Discord said nothing, going back in his deep slumber. He knew whatever he dreamed, it couldn't have been good.

Isan sat up, looking over himself. He found his clothes to be ripped in some parts, which he remembers clearly them being ripped when he fell down the steep hill. It wasn't a dream, it couldn't have been. But if it wasn't a dream then Pinks is...

Isan swallowed hard, grabbing his coat he made from animal skins while in the Everfree forest. It was a large white bear hide, covering the majority of his body. He stitched a hood into it to keep his ears warm. With his cloak on, he exited the cave. Isan felt awful, yet great. He was finally alone. Discord was asleep, so there was nothing clouding his mind from the task at hand. Isan sighed, realizing he couldn't feel anything worth while until he saw Pinks face again.

With a grunt he started his slow jog off into the distance, heading where his gut told him to go. He ran for a while, taking 5 minute walk breaks in between each session of sprinting. Isan was in good shape, especially with all the cold conditions around. Sometimes he would trip and fall down into the snow, burying himself a good 3 feet in. He would dig himself out, before getting back on his feet heading into the white abyss.

Isan lost count of time, he had no idea how long he had been running, but he didn't care. He wanted to find this...that thing..And get Pinks back. He couldn't bear the loss of his friend, and the closer he got, the higher his spirits would raise. Isan stopped, looking around to see absolutely nothing but white. He was trapped so deep in the blizzard he couldn't even see his own feet. He felt lost, he needed guidance.

All that I am...

A voice. I hear it. To the north, it's to the north. Why is it so familiar?

Anger...

That's the same voice I heard in my dream, yet it wasn't a dream...Was it?

Cruelty...

Isan ran toward the source of the voice. The whispers became louder and louder the closer he came. "Discord are you there? What's happening?" Isan asked, with no response. "Must still be sleeping.."

Vengeance...

The voice was coming from above, and Isan found himself climbing up the side of the mountain. He felt attracted by the voice, needing to get closer. He climbed, and climbed until he found himself at the peak of the mountain. Ahead, a little higher he could see a path carved out of the mountain. It was a staircase leading to the tip of the mountain, above the clouds. He took slow steps at first, but his new found master whispered to him.

Follow my ways...Destroy all who stand against us...Serve your master!

Isan was being driven insane by the sheer amount of stress being pushed on his mind. Isan would sacrifice anything to bring Pinks back. Anything, even the lives of others. The stress was too much, and it was pushing his mind beyond his normal limits. He continued walking up the long, icy staircase until he reached the top. He heard whispers from his past entering his mind, increasing the stress on him.

By this time, Discord was awake, realizing the situation. He smiled devilishly, his plan going exactly as he wanted it too. He lead him all the way here to finally free him from his chains. For so long he has been imprisoned, and now Isan would be his dark knight in bringing the destruction of the world.

Isan stared upon the throne encased in frozen ice before him. He saw a shimmering light in the center, moving like fire. Around the fire was dark metal pieces of armor and dark clothing including a hood like the assassins would wear. Isan felt a strong energy pulse through his entire body, forcing him to kneel before the object before him.

Become my chosen knight...Fulfill your destiny...Only then will you be able to save her... The King said, the fire in the center moving accordingly to his voice.

Isan closed his eyes, feeling the unholy energy flow into his veins. He opened them with a new set of eyes, "Yes, my Lord. I will do whatever it takes, no matter the cost, no matter the sacrifice to serve you. Just bring her back to me.." Isan said in a deep voice.

All in due time my chosen knight, but first you must show yourself worthy to be my knight of darkness.

"I will do anything, my Lord." Isan said in a calm voice.

Good...Return to Fillydelphia, and slay any leftover guards of the Red Cross. Once you have done that, use my power to make them aid you, not in life, but in death. Wipe out the entire city, leave no survivors. Once you have done that, find the remains of Ponius, and take him to Concordia, to the south. There, you will be greeted by your allies, and they will have further instructions.

"I understand my Lord. I will do this at once."

Before you go...Take this.

The block of ice started shaking, before cracking all over. A searing light came forth from the ice, blocking Isans' view. When he re-opened his eyes, the armor that was previously inside, was now before him. He nodded, quickly replacing all of his equipment with the new ones. He was grateful to have his master give him such gifts. When he was finished, he pulled the hood over his head.

He felt as if his head was going to explode with the raw amount of energy that was flooding his body. He opened his eyes, feeling much greater. He felt invincible. As if he could take over the world...Doesn't sound like a bad idea, does it?

From the outside, Isan looked like a shadow of a human. His armor was trimmed with bone pieces, and the space where his face could be showing was instead enveloped in shadow. No one could see his true face. Only Isan could see outwards, nopony could see inwards. Despite the armor looking so heavy, it actually wasn't heavy at all.  Isan ripped off the metal arm he previously obtained, ripping away at his skin. he threw it to the ground, feeling much lighter. He hid his torn skin in the arms of his clothes. Feeling much better, he switched his wrist blade to his right hand, since he was a right handed person. Feeling unstoppable, he headed down the mountain, to a boneyard he found earlier.

When he arrived at the boneyard, he found the remains of a horse. Not a pony, but a horse. It made Isan wonder how a horse could find it's way here, when this world seems to be entirely populated by ponies. He shrugged, looking down at the dry bones of the horse. Isan concentrated his energy, and using the magic obtained by the King, he channeled it into the remains of the horse. It took a minute or so for the magic to take full effect. Soon, he stopped the spell, stepping back with a smile on his face. The bones started to reanimate themselves, moving around to their old positions to form the horse. A black flame produced in the center of the horse, spreading around the entire horse. Isan heard the disgusting, yet pleasing sounds of flesh, and skin being formed from the bones. When it had finished it's reanimation, it neighed into the cold winter air, echoing throughout the valley. Flame poured from it's eyes, and the shadows surrounded it like an aura.

Isan smiled to himself, before chuckling loudly. He climbed upon his new ride, and kicked it forward. It went forward, leaving only black flame in it's wake.

-==--==-

Discord still trapped in his icy cage, was satisfied with himself. The hole of Equestria...No, the world was about to break lose. Discord laughed loudly, echoing throughout the entire mountain range. He soon calmed down, whispering to himself.

The time of reckoning has begun!